Vol. 561 No. 5
145 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Defence the total number of claims for damages for deafness determined in court or settled out of court at the latest date for which figures are available; the total amount paid out in terms of damages or legal costs; the total number of such claims outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4683/03]
By 31 January 2003 a total of 16,550 claims had been received in the Department of Defence from current and former members of the Defence Forces in respect of loss of hearing allegedly caused during their military service. A total of 256 claims have been the subject of court awards with a further 12,337 being disposed of through out-of-court settlements. A further 622 claims were either withdrawn by plaintiffs or were dismissed by the courts. Expenditure on awards and settlements amounted to €175.39 million with a further €85.18 million on legal costs.
Question No. 146 answered with Question No. 111.
